MP Tom Watson visiting Phoenix

MP Tom Watson visiting Phoenix

Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson, was given a grilling by Phoenix students on Friday 14th October 2016. The West Bromwich East MP came into school to talk to Sixth formers and Year 11 students about his life as an MP as part of Local Democracy Week.

Mr Watson spoke about his motivation to become an MP and his desire to make a real difference to people’s lives. He explained why he believes politics is so important and called on the students to get involved themselves.

Inquisitive students asked a series of challenging and thought-provoking questions. Brexit and the country’s decision to leave the EU was the main focus for the students. The majority of them and staff in the hall felt that young people aged 16 should have been allowed to vote in the referendum and that Britain should have remained in the EU.

Other students wanted to know what the Labour Party were going to do about a range of issues including gun crime, housing, health and education.

Our students demonstrated their wide ranging political knowledge and excellent debating skills and impressed the experienced MP with their confidence and inquisitiveness.